Integrated filter housing

ABSTRACT

The invention integrates a filter system into a reciprocating piston pump ( 10 ). This design will eliminate the need for extra connection components, increase the maximum internal pressure allowed due to no danger of the filter loosening, ease maintenance and cleaning while also decreasing the overall size of the system. Because the overall size is smaller, less energy is required to change the pressure throughout the system and thus increase overall efficiency compared to previous designs. The invention is a filter element ( 29 ) that inserts and becomes integrated with the upper housing ( 33 ) of the pump ( 10 ). The filter element ( 29 ) is inserted into its own cavity and held in place by upper and lower connectors ( 23, 27 ) that threadedly engage with the pump housing ( 33 ).

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This application ______ is a of U.S. application Ser. No. ______filed ______.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Filters contained within a pump system such as the reciprocatingpiston pumps commonly sold by the assignee of the instant inventiontypically require several connection components, are difficult to cleanor maintain, and present the danger of loosening and falling off.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0003] To overcome the deficiencies of the prior art, this inventionintegrates the filter system into the pump design. This design willeliminate the need for extra connection components, increase the maximuminternal pressure allowed due to no danger of the filter loosening, easemaintenance and cleaning while also decreasing the overall size of thesystem. Because the overall size is smaller, less energy is required tochange the pressure throughout the system and thus increase overallefficiency compared to previous designs.

[0004] The invention is a filter that inserts and becomes integratedwith the housing of the pump system. The filter is inserted into its owncavity and held in place by upper and lower connectors that threadedlyengage with the pump housing. The filter has a filter cover placed onits top, which prevents the filter from jostling around and damagingitself during liquid flow. Removal of the filter for cleaning ormaintenance can be accomplished by removing the connector components andsliding the filter out of its housing. Also, the filter cover is smallerthan previous designs, which eases the cleaning of the filter cover andremoval of the filter itself.

[0005] Because the filter is integral to the pump system, the width ofpump pipes can be increased and maximum internal pressure increasedwithout risking the filter becoming loose, disconnecting or otherwisemalfunctioning. Because such pipes are wider and the volume capacity isincreased, the pump system as a whole is smaller than previous designs.Because the pump system is smaller as a whole and maximum internalpressure is higher, flushing the system during maintenance isaccomplished more easily.

[0006] These and other objects and advantages of the invention willappear more fully from the following description made in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters referto the same or similar parts throughout the several views.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0007]FIG. 1 is a partially exploded front view of the pump system withthe filter component extended out of its housing.

[0008]FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the pump of FIG. 1.

[0009]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the pump system.

[0010]FIG. 4 is a cross-section of the pump that exposes the internalworkings and showing the flow of liquid through the system.

[0011]FIG. 5 is a top view of the pump system.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0012] Fluid travels through the pump (generally designated 10) by firstentering the inlet housing 7, passing through the inlet check valve 11,and entering cylinder 31 of the pump lower 37. The fluid then travelsvia transfer passage 33 a in upper housing 33 to the volume around theexterior of filter 29 and then passes through the filter itself 29.Cylindrical filter element 29 is held in place between a filter top cap23, seal 25 and a filter bottom cap 27. A solid filter support 40 islocated within filter 29 and helps prevent the collapse thereof. Fluidflows from the interior of filter 29 through passage 27 a to outlet port27 b.

[0013] It is contemplated that various changes and modifications may bemade to the integrated filter housing without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

1. In a reciprocating piston pump having a cylinder, inlet and outletchecks and first and second end housings, the improvement comprising: afilter cavity integral with one of said housings, said filter cavitycomprising first and second open ends and fluidly connecting with saidoutlet check; a filter element in said filter cavity; first and filtercaps removably attached to said filter cavity ends; and one of saidfilter caps comprising an outlet port.
 2. The reciprocating piston pumpof claim 1 further comprising a filter support within said filterelement.
 3. The reciprocating piston pump of claim 1 further comprisinga pressure relief valve in one of said filter caps.